West Virginia University will recognize some of its finest faculty, staff, students and alumni during a three-day spring fest, April 13-15.

“At WVU , we consider it very important to recognize those people whose achievements contribute to the legacy of success of this institution,”said WVU President David C. Hardesty.”I hope residents of the Morgantown and University communitiesas well as familieswill be able to join us for this important weekend.”

During the activities, outstanding students will present speeches and projects, receive awards and be inducted into honorary societies, Hardesty said.

Activities begin Thursday, April 13, with a 6-7 p.m. reception in the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciencess cafeteria for pharm-D grads, and a 7-9 p.m. U.S. Army and Air Force ROTC awards ceremony in the Mountainlair Gluck Theatre.

On Friday, many University colleges and departments will sponsor awards ceremonies and open houses throughout the day, including business, engineering, human resources and education, agriculture, journalism, law and pharmacy.

There also will be a University Honors Program Symposium at 1 p.m. in the Mountainlair Rhododendron Room, with honors students presenting papers from their various individual academic projects.

An Honorary Recognition Ceremony is planned from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Woodburn Circle. At the ceremony, new initiates will be inducted into campus-wide honoraries, including Helvetia, Chimes and Mortar Board. It will be moved to the Mountainlair ballrooms if it rains.

A highlight of the weekend will be a 7:30 p.m. convocation ceremony in the Lair ballrooms. Outstanding achievements of students, faculty, staff and alumni will be recognized, including Outstanding Teachers, Outstanding Seniors, the Neil S. Bucklew Social Justice Award recipients and Mary Catherine Buswell award recipient, among others.

At the same time, there will be a 7:30 p.m. World Music Concert in the CAC Concert Theatre featuring Steel Drum Ensembles, several Asian ensembles and musical selections from around the world. Tickets are on sale for the evening performance by calling 304-293-SHOW.

On Saturday, April 15, the WVU College of Human Resources and Education will have a 10 a.m.-noon Honor Brunch in the third floor lobby of Allen Hall for its Class of 2001 Teacher Education program students.

The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences will also hold its annual recognition ceremony and brunch on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the Lair ballrooms, and present The Hon. M. Blane Michael, federal judge for the 4th Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals, with the Alumni Recognition Award.

The Center for Womens Studies will also host an honors and awards program Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the Lair Rhododendron Room, and special guest Brucella Jordan will present a first person interpretation of African-American journalist Ida B. Wells.

A Sunday, April 16, Millennium Celebration Concert will take place at 3:15 p.m. in the Creative Arts Center Concert Theatre. The combined choirs of WVU will join with choirs from West Liberty State College, WVU -Parkersburg and West Virginia State College. Call 293-SHOW for ticket information.

For more information on the weekend, call Kathy Kerzak, 304-293-8024.